102 Beekeeping Controversies With Susan Rudnicki

Behind the headlines about bee die-offs is an untold story about the methods of conventional beekeeping. There is a sharp divide between mainstream beekeepers and natural beekeepers. In this episode we delve deep into the controversies over how bees are managed with beekeeper Susan Rudnicki. We recorded this episode in front of a live audience at one of Honey Love’s monthly symposiums. We get into a lot of detail on beekeeping methods, so consider this episode a kind of natural beekeeping 101. During the podcast Susan discusses:

Seems you did not listen carefully to my explanation of the “genetic bottleneck” that exists in the commercial package bee breeder industry. These bees are being bred from a limited pool of around 600 queenlines, artificial insemination in labs using genetically selected drone traits is NOT uncommon, and the traits being selected for are narrowly judged by human scientists and breeders to be those most commercially useful, while ignoring the loss of traits that serve Apis mellifera in resilience that are TIED to these “valuable” traits. Go back and listen or read the links Erik posted from Randy Oliver, the Scientific Beekeeper website, which will fill in your information shortfall regarding the heavy commercial manipulation of honey bee genetics.

Great podcast! I’ve been a fan of the treatment-free beekeeping podcast for a while now. I think that it’s important to decide what kind of beekeeper you want to be from the beginning. The idea of treated bees in my organic garden is bizarre.

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Root Simple is about back to basics, DIY living, encompassing homegrown vegetables, chickens, herbs, hooch, bicycles, cultural alchemy, and common sense. We’re always learning, figuring stuff out, taking advantage of the enormous smarts of our friends and our on-line community, and trying to give some of that back in turn. Root Simple is a gathering place for everyone. Welcome.